If you're considering breeding

[My lil friend]

I spoke with Michele a few minutes ago and she sounds SOOOO much better. Her daughter and husband took shifts. Allie seems to be more interested in the babies and is right there while they are being fed and incouraged to let the babies next to her. I am praying for a day of bonding. Judy thank you for your help,I hope that your voice returns quickly. Thank all of you again for your support and love. I reminded her of the "new baby" rule,rest when the babies rest,because sometimes they don't rest. Im sure that she will stop in again today when she can.

[jeane]

that's good news

[MauiGirl]

Praying that there is continued improvement today, and that precious pups and Allie make the natural connection.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by McheleM

If you are considering breeding your dog, I hope you will read this. My 5 1/2 pound girl delivered 4 puppies last night, emergency c-section.
I am feeling so many things right now- I am grateful that my Allie is okay and that her puppies were all born healthy. I am exhausted because I have been up with her sporadically for the last 5 days. I napped with her but didn't sleep well because every time she moved I was checking to see what she was doing. I have been awake for almost 24 hours at this point. I am disappointed that things had to happen the way they did. I wanted better for her. Of course nothing ever goes the way we want it to-I read all the books, I researched, I talked to other breeders, I thought it wasn't that big of a deal to let her whelp. I was scared and nervous but thought I could do it. I knew the warning signs and what to watch for. I wanted a smooth, easy delivery with no complications and got a difficult labor that ended in surgery and a whole lot of complications. See Allie wants nothing to do with the 4 beautiful puppies that she just delivered. She won't feed them, she won't let them near her. In fact, she is avoiding them all together. The vet said she may get home and get settled and the meds all wear off and her Mommy instincts might kick in, but then again they might not. Right now, I am feeding her puppies and making them go pee and poo. I am doing her job because she doesn't want to. If she decides she doesn't want to be a mommy, I'll have to continue taking care of these girls. They have to be fed every hour or so to begin with. By the time I've finishing feeding all 4 and got them cleaned up, got their bedding situated and cleaned and changed out their heat socks, it's time to start over. Obviously this will be a round the clock job and I am already exhausted. Then when she gets home, I have to take care of her as well. I have to check to make sure she's eating, drinking, peeing and pooping and that she's not running a fever or has any inflammation at her incision site or that she's not licking it or pulling at her staples.

Mostly I am angry. I'm angry at myself for allowing this to happen. I'm angry that I didn't get her spayed last year. I'm angry that I turned my back for 5 seconds to move a mop bucket and allowed her to get pregnant. I'm angry that I put my beautiful baby through this and it could have been prevented. I'm angry because her suffering is my fault. I brought her home and promised to love her and take care of her and I just put her through hell. I've ruined her body and scarred her. I feel like the worst pet parent in the world right now. I hope that someone else will read this and change their mind about breeding. Even professional breeders have horror stories. People lose their dogs and the puppies all the time. I got lucky and my dog and her puppies are alive but had I not panicked and gone to the vet, her puppies and her might not have made it. The thought of her dying because of a careless mistake of mine kills me inside. It rips my heart to pieces.

No one needs to comment-I'm not looking for that, I just thought others should know that things can and often do go wrong. And I hope that if someone is thinking about breeding their dog, they'll reconsider.

Michelle I am so sorry for you, your gal, and the pups too! I am very late to this thread, as I have had no heat power/light etc for going on day 6 now.

I can help out with puppy rearing and stimulation appropriate activities as can YorkiesMom1. I know that right now Allie your gal is back in hospital. I do so hope she heals up.

Listen to YorkiesMom1, and also the other breeders here. Maybe if someone knows how to Skype and you do too, there can be a Skype instruction on tube feeding.

In terms of genetic tests prior to releasing pups, pm me and I will tell you what I think is a reasonable approach.

God Bless, and keep yourself healthy!

[McheleM]

I have good news. Mom is allowing them to nurse, she is in the box with them licking and cleaning them.

[TxVicki]

Originally Posted by McheleM

I have good news. Mom is allowing them to nurse, she is in the box with them licking and cleaning them.

Happy to hear that Allie has finally come around. Prayers still continue for all.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by McheleM

I have good news. Mom is allowing them to nurse, she is in the box with them licking and cleaning them.

Keep her with them Michelle....do NOT allow her to run all around outside of the whelping crate you should have those babies in. Those babies are unvaccinated, they have had a very poor start with maternal antibioties, and with the momma running all over the place, she is picking up God only knows what has been brought in on the bottom of your shoes, your clothes, etc....isolate momma with those babies....make sure they are warm...88* and no drafts.....heating pad UNDER the bed/box they are laying in, so there is NO way they can get directly on top of the heating pad and COOK, even on LOW setting....cover the crate with a heated throw that you can put on medium setting....it will help warm up the ambient temp of the crate....without dehydrating the momma and babies.....

[Wylie's Mom]

Just want to commend and thank the good breeders here who are offering help...I know we're all very grateful to have you here .

[McheleM]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Keep her with them Michelle....do NOT allow her to run all around outside of the whelping crate you should have those babies in. Those babies are unvaccinated, they have had a very poor start with maternal antibioties, and with the momma running all over the place, she is picking up God only knows what has been brought in on the bottom of your shoes, your clothes, etc....isolate momma with those babies....make sure they are warm...88* and no drafts.....heating pad UNDER the bed/box they are laying in, so there is NO way they can get directly on top of the heating pad and COOK, even on LOW setting....cover the crate with a heated throw that you can put on medium setting....it will help warm up the ambient temp of the crate....without dehydrating the momma and babies.....

Thank you for all your help!!
It is so appreciated.

Lancer 4.0
Lyric 3.7
Lark 4.3
Lace 4.6
Their weights as of 12:00 today. I do not know their birth weights. They have all gained since yesterday. I will continue to monitor weights and make sure mom is feeding them enough.

[McheleM]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Just want to commend and thank the good breeders here who are offering help...I know we're all very grateful to have you here .

Yes. My inbox, email and texts we're going crazy with help and suggestions. I appreciate everyone who has offered help and advice. I even appreciate those who didn't.

I know this is only the beginning and we still have a long road ahead. Given the choice, I would not repeat this experience.

[navillusc]

I am very happy to hear this...mommy and babies need each other.

[GuinnessStout]

So happy to hear mom and babies are doing better.

[DBlain]

question, if mom has to stay in the whelping box where does she go to the bathroom, especially if she is a dog that potty's outside

[patchesmom10]

great news sending prayers that all will continue to go well

[jeane]

that is great news// praying that everything goes well